mtnhiker

We get Norwegian Essentials strictly for the medical coverage, it is not and never has been trip insurance. Like some others here, we are aware of the risks of not having trip insurance and consciously make that choice.

We have only been on 10 cruises, most with Norwegian - we always get essentials insurance for each cruise. Not that expensive and fairly good coverage. When we start traveling more (after I retire) we will likely consider something like AIG travel insurance that SargassoPirate mentioned (above)

We were looking at Transpacific out of Sydney to Seattle or Vancouver. Princess seems to be pretty good, but we have no experience with Princess Cruise Lines. We are going to try NCL from Miami to Lima - then Lima to San Diego. It has an overnight in Lima which is good for the laser show at the fountains.

I have sailed on Norwegian 3 times at the discount rate (US Military) it is a nice perk. I have not heard about the discount for other countries. Needless to say - Taxes and Port fees are not discounted 😞

I think we are going to do a cruise from Miami to Lima, and follow on to San Diego, it is a bit far out (2026) but it looks like it will coincide with my projected retirement. I was exploring ideas. One was Australia (Transpacific - one way or the other), another was Trans- Atlantic. But this is the one I have seen that goes to Lima out of Miami, and then back up the West Coast of South America, Central America and Mexico. My wife does not like the idea (not sure why) but she is coming around. She does not know that I am planning this a s a retirement gift/celebration for both of us. Should be fun!!

I agree with SargassoPirate. Direct Deposit takes away the non-cashing of a mailed paper check. Sounds like these instructions have not been updated since last century (millennium).

I did not know that Princess had an OBC for retired military until I read it in these forums today. To get the veteran discount on NCL you have to register with ID ME. It was very quick, but they also send offers occasionally to the e-mail that I used. On our last NCL cruise the difference allowed us to upgrade for ~ $10.00. Did you say that Holland America also has the OBC for retired military? Out of curiosity, do they have veteran's get togethers or events on Princess cruises? Thank you, Wayne

We started Social Security recently, now it is down to optimization and timing. So sometime between the end of December 23 - and July, 26

We have stock in NCL and get OBC with them, NCL also is giving a 10% discount for military (wife is a veteran and I am retired) I saw this thread and according to Princess (website) military is combinable with other offers. Military personnel benefit onboard credit program (princess.com)